June 4, 2008- Early in the morning, we wake up for our 7 am flight going to Manila. For Rik and I, it was our first day of school which we would miss but our mind was set to Hong Kong. Upon arriving at MIAA Domestic Terminal, Papa Bitoy fetched us and brought us all the way to UP Diliman to see Kuya Rae. When we arrived there, he told us that he might not come because of his enrolment duties in school. We remained hopeful but we told him that we would leave at 2:30 with or without him. Luckily, he was still able to come with us. And we headed off to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Our flight left at 7:10 in the evening. Upon arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport, it took us long before we found Tito Randy because of slight miscommunications. But we did find him and made our way to Flat 16-E, 25 Conduit Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, where The Salazars were waiting for us. After a few minutes of bonding, we bunked in for the night.

June 5, 2008- We wake up early in the morning and after getting ready, Tito Randy brought us all to the Airport Express station and made walked towards the Hong Kong Station. We took the MTR all the way to Sunny Bay before taking the cool Disneyland Resort Line train. Then after a few minutes, we arrived in Hong Kong Disneyland! We took a short stroll down Mainstreet USA and staring at the beautiful sights we would see from entertainers, Disney characters and shops. Then we made our way to Tomorrowland, riding our first ride, the Orbitron. Afterwards, Rik and Kuya Rae rode the Space Mountain while Mom, Dad and I had photo-ops with Belle, Cinderella, Stitch and Woody, respectively. Afterwards, we took all the other rides in Tomorrowland before moving to our next stop—Fantasyland. The first ride we took, was one of the newest in HK Disneyland, the It’s a Small World Boat Ride. After riding a few more rides, we decided to have lunch in the World of Foods. After that lunch, we continued venturing around the Park riding different rides. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to watch the High School Musical show, because it was interrupted by the rain. But we were able to watch three of the park’s main attractions, The Philhar Magic Orchestra, a 4-D concert, The Golden Mickeys, an awards show and of course, the Festival of the Lion King, which is one of the best musical shows I have seen. We also had dinner there in the Starlight Café back in Tomorrowland and then ended the day with the magical fireworks display before making our way home.

June 6, 2008- This time, we decided to have an educational trip. We were taken to the Admiralty Station where we took an MTR all the way to Tsim Sha Tsui far away in Kowloon. Then we walked under the rain (luckily with raincoats c/o Tito Randy) all the way to the Hong Kong Historical Museum where we looked at their main exhibit, all about Hong Kong. We saw exhibits of the Prehistorical times, developing all the way to the British Colonization, Natural Calamities, wars and until the Modern Times. This beautiful exhibit made us hungry. So we went to a nearby restaurant, Steak Expert. Their meals were one-of-a-kind. Then we went to our next stop, the Hong Kong Scientific Museum right in front of the Historical Museum. All of us, worrying that time after hearing the news about Kuya Brian’s Hospitalization, realized that the first exhibit in the museum was all about ELECTRICITY. Well, we tested it continued going around the four floors of that big building looking at exhibits about transportation, communication, health, mind and matter. Because of Rik’s asthma attack, Mom and Kuya Rae had to postpone their shopping trip and we all went home, tired but satisfied. But the day wasn’t over yet. We still had dinner. We were taken to Genki, a neat restaurant with revolving sushi, just like the ones in Japan. After consuming about 30 plates, we all went home, happy.

June 7, 2008- I woke up seeing rain dripping on the windows. Everyone said that there was a Black Rainstorm Signal, the worst type. There was a record rainfall in 72 years and many streets in Hong Kong were flooded. That meant that we wouldn’t be able to go to Ocean Park. Kuya Richard had to leave early for he had an SAT test. After lunch, the rain subsided, so Mom, Tita Lulu, Kuya Rae and Kuya Rich went to Tai Koo Shing to meet up with Kuya Richard while RJ, Tito Randy, Rik and I stayed at home. But we followed late in the afternoon at Citiplaza where we were able to shop around for around an hour. Lucky enough, a lot of the stores had sales there so we had some good buys. Then we went up to the top floor to have dinner at Ruby Tuesdays’- Home of the Colossal Burger. All of us had our shares of the very appetizing burgers leaving our stomachs full. Afterwards, we had last minute shopping around Citiplaza before going home. We didn’t sleep yet. All of us waited until midnight to greet Tito Randy and Tita Lulu, a happy anniversary. After giving our gifts and some photo-ops, we all gathered and prayed the rosary for the image of Mama Mary, which was being passed around Hong Kong made its stop in their home. It was a great way to end the night, thanking God for everything.

June 8, 2008- I got up at around 8:30 and started getting ready for Church. We attended Mass in the St. Joseph’s College Chapel. After the Mass, Rik went with RJ to his Sunday School and took a test. Though he was unprepared, he got 85/100, which was excellent already. Kuya Rae and I went to the Youth Group headed by Tita Lulu and sat in during their planning for their next week’s activity. Mom, Dad and Tito Randy, were having coffee and tea while mingling with other people parents present there. Then after class was done, we all went to Metropolis Restaurant for the celebration of the Wedding Anniversary. Also present there were many friends of Tito Randy and family, which gave us the opportunity to mingle and get acquainted. With the best Dim Sum I have ever tasted, this experience was one of a kind. After another round of photo-ops, we went to North Shore where Rik and Kuya Richard met with his friend Ross who offered a deck of Magic Cards, something Rik desperately wanted in Hong Kong. In return, Rik gave a Thank You Letter. We then went to the Peak for some jaw-dropping views of Hong Kong. Also in the mall there, was an exhibit of the Philippine Arts Festival in Hong Kong. We were able to see many Hong Kong- inspired paintings by some rising artists. Then we went home after another round of shopping. While all the boys rested, Mom found a shopping partner with Tita Lulu as they went shopping for the nth time, this time in the busy area of Causeway Bay. We then planned dinner reservations at a Korean Barbeque Restaurant. Noticing that we were almost late for dinner, Tito Randy dropped off all the boys nearby and we rushed, even making a wrong turn, down 3 blocks all the way to the restaurant, which was at the fourth floor of a Watson’s pharmacy. There, we met up with Tita Lulu and my mom and after settling in; we cooked our own food and had another great meal, to end the day.

June 9, 2008- This would be our last day in Hong Kong. We woke up and walked our way to the Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological Garden. When we arrived there, we went around looking at different plants and animals and at the same time, getting a bit of exercise. We, I most especially, were excited to see the Jaguar in his cage. But when we arrived there, all we saw was the sign: “Jaguar is under medical treatment.” So we had a few snacks then went home to rest for a while. Then we went to the Airport Express station to eat at the Crystal Jade La Mian restaurant, one of Hong Kong’s most in-demand restaurants. Afterwards, we had dessert just upstairs. Then the guys rode a Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui and vice-versa just for the experience while the girls went shopping around IFC Mall. Then upon reaching home, we finished packing and said our goodbyes. We then went to the Airport Express station at around 5 in the afternoon, and took the 30 minute train ride to the Airport. After checking in, we realized that our gate was Gate 49, which was a train ride away. So we rushed there and settled in, 20 minutes before Boarding. Mom, Dad and I, went to the shops far back to buy some chocolates and I went back ahead of them. The moment I sat down, an announcement was made that we were already boarding. Realizing that they were far from the boarding gates, I rushed back towards them and we ran back when the Final Call was being announced. We had a safe trip home. We arrived back in Manila at around 9 in the evening and when we arrived back in Pacific, to our surprise, Tita Belle, Ate Bea and Kuya Brian were there to welcome us back in the Philippines. Then we shared everything we could.

This trip was one amazing journey and it comes to show that nothing can be exchanged for a lot of memories.

-Rod Ralph. J